Retro style modern black rims

[ishaw]

After finding some hairline cracks in a rim I wanted to build, I've put a wanted ad up for a black 517 in 32 h. With old rims having been used and abused over the years, I'm wondering if it might be a better option to get some new rims.

The build is a 92 or 93 clockwork for my wife, and it is unlikely to see any off road use at all, just family rides around parks and possibly the local downs.

Can anyone suggest some modern rims that would suit a retro bike? Not really wanting to spend a huge amount due to the use (or lack of) the bike is likely to see, but I'd still want a fairly decent set of rims that will last and look the part on the bike.

Are there any modern mavic rims that share the same characteristics of the 517, as that would save me having to build two wheels as I've done the front already.

I'm also thinking of building up a spare set if wheels that can take a disc or v, so I've got something to use on both modern and retro bikes should any need repairing, so more general recommendations also welcome.

Cheers

 

[Dossa]

Re:

A set of Mavic XM317's would probably be your best bet I'd say.

 

[hamster]

Spa Cycles Exal LX17 rims are a good choice, with a few other options too on this page:
http://spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s116p0

 

[ishaw]

Thanks, both look good options.

Hamster, do you know much about the exal rims? I've bought a few bits of spas own brand before and it has always been good, but if you have any experience of the rims that would be a help. Would they be better than a low end mavic for example?

 

[hamster]

Generally I trust Spa to know what they are about, they seem independent enough to fly in the face of fashion without the 'we are right, everyone else is wrong' attitude of SJS/Thorn.

For an independent view:
http://dcrwheels.co.uk/products/rims/70 ... exal-lx17/

Harry Rowland also seems to build with them - I've got some Rowland wheels which remain true after 20 years!

 

[Silvergoat]

Re:

About 12 months back, due to budget, availability and the need to keep the bike on the road, I ended up ordering a set of wheels from Merlin built with xm317 rims with black inner circumference, SS BB spokes and black LX hubs. They turned the job around in 5 days or so for £110.

Good quick cheap job but attention to detail went awry in the build in keeping hubs/logos/valve holes aligned consistently and some of the nipples looked like a bit more care threading them would have helped. More importantly, the spokes seemed very flexy and wiry and after 3 months riding, I had to get Evans the Bike to true the rear wheel significantly. Looks like a 2nd visit may be due...

My original option was an all silver XT wheelset build with Rigida Sputniks from Spa. Kinda wish I'd gone with Spa now

 

[ishaw]

Those sputnik rims look nice and retro but heavy. My wife isn't that confident a cyclist so the lighter I can make the bike, the more likely she may actually ride it (well that's the plan).

 

[Silvergoat]

Re:

I guess the lighter it can be, then the more manoeuvrable and responsive the bike will feel...

 

[Rodrigues]

I picked up a 96 stumpy recently which was fully original except the wheels - they had been replaced with silver Mavic XM317 and Deore T610 hubs (also in silver). I believe both are available in black - I'm actually very happy with the wheels and seem like a good retrobike replacement option.

With groovyblueshed's experience it might have just been the wheel builder. There is an excellent one near me (in Cranleigh) I can recommend - works out of Beyond Mountain Bikes. He would happily take some pre purchased rims and hubs and build the wheels. Let me know if you need some more info...

 

[kingoffootball]

I recently got the wheels for my M2 (pics in thread) rebuilt with black Mach1 Nitro rims, which I'm very pleased with so far. Were nice and cheap, but I like the CNC braking surface.